Folding table.



NU. 709`,|7|. Patented Sept. i6,` |902.

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FLDING` TABLE.

(Application tiled Ap, 3,` 1902.)

(Nq Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

WILLIAM O. NUSSBAUMLEB, OF SIIEBOYGAN, IVISCONSIN.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentV No. 709,171, dated September 16, 1902. Application filed April 8, 1902. Serial No. 101,262. (No modem To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. Nuss- BAUMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Folding Table, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to tables and more particularly to a folding table or knockdown table, the object being to provide a table of this character which shall be simple in construction and one which can be quickly and easily set up and taken apart.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table of this kind in which all the parts can be securely locked in their proper positions and all rattling or Wabbling avoided and a still further object is to provide a folding or knockdown table of such construction that the supporting portion of the table can be packed away in the top portion thereof when the vsaid top portion is folded into the form of a box, thereby enabling the said table when folded or knocked down to be packed away into very small space. y

With these various objects in View the invention consists, essentially, of a standard having the legs detachably connectedto the lower end thereof, the supporting-arms detachably connected to the upper ends thereof,

` and the folding top adapted to be locked upon the folding arms. Y

The invention consists also in certain details of construction and novelties of combination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figurel is a perspective view illustrating a table constructed in accordance with my invention, said view being taken from the under side. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the top of the table, the supporting-arms being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.- Fig. 4 is a view showing the table folded and closed in the form of a box. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view illustrating the construction of the legs. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing one end of the standard. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View illustrating the manner of locking the supporting-arms to the table-top by means of the spring-plate.

In constructing a table in accordance with myinvention I employ a central post or standard A, which may be of any suitable size or shape, the lower end of which is slotted, as shown at A', said slots intersecting each other at right angles, and fitting into said slots are the supporting-legs B, said legs crossing each other at right angles, as most clearly shown, oneleg being slotted at B upon the upper side, while the other leg is slotted at B2 in the lower side, so that the said legs can interlock one with the other prior to being inserted in the slotted end of the post or standard A. The upper end of the standard is slotted in a similar manner, asshown at A2, and into which fit the supporting-arms C, said supporting-arms C being slotted similar to the manner in which the legs are slotted for the purpose of interlocking prior to being fitted into the upper end of the post or standard A. The coverD rests upon and is secured to the upper ends of the supporting-arms C, said top or cover being preferably constructed of the central piece D/ and the side pieces or leaves D2, said leaves being preferably constructed with a depending valance or cornice D3.

In the drawings I have shown the table as circular in form; but of course it may be understood that it may be square or any other form desired. The leaves or side pieces D2 are hinged to the central pieceupon the under side, as shown at D4, and the strip E, pivoted to the underside of the piece D', is adapted to be turned across the said central strip when the top or cover is folded ready for attachment to the supporting-arms. Each supporting-arm carries an angular locking-plate F, the free end of which is preferably Wedgeshaped, as shown in Fig. 7, said Wedgeshaped free end being adapted to engage a loop or bail G, fastened to the under side of the leaf D2, said loops or bails being so arranged that when the table-top is placed upon the supporting-arms and given a slight turn all of the wedge-shaped locking-plates will enter the said loops or bails, and the said plates being tapering or wedge-shaped will serve to tightly bind the table-top to the supporting- IOC) arms, and in `order to hold the said parts in said locked position I employ a spring locking-plate I-I, which is fastened to the under side of one of the side pieces D2, adjacent to the loop or bail, the end of said plate being bend upwardly, as shown at H', and adapted to enter a recess H2 when the supporting-arm C engages the said plate and forces it upwardly; but the moment the supporting-arm passes the end of the plate its elasticity will throw said plate downwardly behind the supporting-arm, and thereby lock it into engagement with the table-top through the medium of the angular plate and loop or bail, and by locking one of the said arms all four arms will be held locked.

When it is desired to fold or knock down the table and fold same into a small compass, the top is removed from the su pporting-arms, the said supporting-arms and legs detached from post or standard, and the legs and post can be arranged within the box-like portion of the cover produced by folding one section upon the other, as most clearly indicated in Fig. 4. In this manner all of the loose parts will be securely held and their loss prevented.

It will thus be seen that I provide an eX- ceedingly cheap and simple and novel construction of folding or knockdown table.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A table of the kind described, comprising in combination a post or standard slotted at its upper and lower ends, the detachable legs adapted to fit into the slots at the lower end of the post or standard, the detachable supporting-arms adapted to fit into the slots at the upper end of the post or standard, the top or cover comprising the central piece, and the side pieces or leaves hinged thereto, said leaves or side pieces having a depending Valance or cornice, loops or bails carried by the said side pieces upon their under face, the angular locking plates carried by the supporting-arms, and a spring-catch secured to the under side of the top piece and adjan cent to one of the loops, said catch being adapted to permit one of the arms to pass beneath it in the direction ot' the loop, but resisting movement ofthe top piece or arm relative to each other in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

WILLIAM O. NUSSBAUMER.

Vitnesses: v

OTTO MARKNARDT, WM. TRAUTE. 

